Cognitive Science Commons^™

How What We Feel Is Associated With What We Hear Early In Development: The Role Of Vision In Audio-Tactile Association, Shibo Cao

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Sound-shape correspondences, also known as bouba-kiki effect, is the preferential mapping of nonsense sound like “baluma” to rounded abstract shapes while mapping nonsense sound like “takete” to spiky abstract shapes. Such association was seen for auditory and visual stimuli (AV), and auditory and tactile stimuli, which are touched but not seen (AT). Literature comparing typically-developing and early-blind adults showed AT association differ as a function of level of visual experience, and similar finding was also found comparing typically-developing adult and children. Specifically, typically-developing younger children benefited from prior AV experience of abstract shapes and nonsense sounds. While these findings suggest …

Face Value: A Computational Approach To Subjective Impressions Of Faces, Kevin Kpankou

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Various computational models of first impressions have been developed to uncover the mechanisms driving these judgments. However, the implicit notion of a singular ``human'' often overlooks meaningful individual differences in beliefs, attitudes, and associations, as well as culturally grounded group-level constructs. In this paper, we extend Cultural Consensus Theory (CCT) to estimate culturally shared beliefs about faces by incorporating latent constructs structured around interpretable facial features extracted via computer vision algorithms. We apply our model to a large-scale dataset of people’s first impressions of faces. Our approach reveals a robust mapping between facial features and culturally constructed impressions, allowing us …

Moving Toward Healthy Ageing: The Role Of Physical Activity In Cognitive Function And Self-Esteem Among Older Adults In Türkiye, Canan Birimoglu Okuyan, Müjde Kerkez

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between religious attitudes and breastfeeding attitudes and the effect of this relationship on breastfeeding practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 251 older adults. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Spearman’s correlation and chi-square tests were employed for statistical analysis.

Results: Physical activity levels were positively correlated with both cognitive function (r = 0.546, p < 0.001) and self-esteem (r = 0.168, p < 0.05). No significant association was observed between cognitive function and self-esteem. Physical inactivity, cognitive decline, and low self-esteem were more prevalent among women, participants with lower educational attainment, those with chronic diseases, and individuals engaged in polypharmacy.

Conclusions: The findings emphasize the importance of integrating physical activity promotion into national healthy ageing policies, particularly in Mediterranean contexts such …

Becoming A Social Worker: A Journey Through Community, Justice, And Recovery, Willow Coefield

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio is the culminating project for the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana and demonstrates advanced integrated practice through coursework, practicum, and professional experience. It is organized into an introduction, theoretical orientation, and focused sections on trauma‑informed care and rural and Indigenous contexts of practice, followed by a mapping of portfolio artifacts to core elements and competencies, a conclusion, references, and appendices of key graduate assignments. Drawing on artifacts such as positionality work, case studies, diagnostic assessment, group design, program evaluation, policy analysis, and leadership projects, the portfolio illustrates growth in ethical and professional behavior, …

Reading Between The Lines: The Influence Of Financial News On Investor Decision-Making, Kalia Noble

Honors College Theses

This thesis investigates how financial media narratives shape investor sentiment and short-term market behavior. Drawing on behavioral finance and narrative economics, it examines whether the framing and tone of market news correlate with intraday volatility in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average. By pairing quantitative price data with contemporaneous headlines from major outlets such as Bloomberg, Yahoo! Finance, and CNBC, the study shows that emotionally charged or speculative narratives are closely associated with sharp market swings, even when fundamentals remain unchanged. These findings highlight the influence of media framing on investor decision-making and underscore the importance of financial …

Part I: Building Stronger Camp Communities Through Motivation As A Connected Process, Kelley Freridge

CompassPoint

Every summer, millions of children, youth, and young adult staff members gather in camp communities seeking adventures, community, and growth. They arrive carrying stories of who they are and who they might become. While some camp professionals have explored the existing research on motivation, many still struggle with this question: how do we move beyond temporary, programmatic reward-driven compliance or temporary entertainment-centered enthusiasm to spark genuine, sustained engagement that transforms both individuals and the community?

Trauma-Informed Leaders: Shifting The Paradigm Of Professional Suicide Prevention, Janina Cich

Forensic Scholars Today

Trauma-informed Leaders: Shifting the Paradigm of Professional Suicide Prevention highlights how trauma-informed leadership can transform suicide prevention in law enforcement and other high-stress helping professions. Reflecting on current suicide data and first-responder research, the article outlines early warning signs, intervention strategies, and organizational wellness practices that drive agencies from reactive crisis response to proactive, culturally responsive care. Practical recommendations include leader-supported peer teams, sleep and micro-break interventions, and resilience-focused supports that foster psychological safety, reduce stigma, and normalize help‑seeking across the organization.

Forensic Neuroscience: A Brief Introduction, Jerrod Brown

Forensic Scholars Today

Forensic neuroscience is an emerging, multidisciplinary field that applies brain science to forensic mental health, criminal justice, and legal decision-making. This article summarizes how neuroscience can inform assessments, evaluations of criminal responsibility, case planning, treatment, and prevention for justice-involved populations, highlighting complementary disciplines and the need for ethical guidance, replication of findings, and specialized education before broad adoption in legal settings.

Ctrl + Alt + Inner Speech: A Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (Vcs) Model Of Pathways To Computational Thinking, Daisuke Akiba

Publications and Research

This theoretical paper introduces the Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (VCS) Model, a cognitively inclusive framework which proposes the cognitive architectures underlying computational thinking (CT). Moving beyond monolithic theories of cognition (e.g., executive-function and metacognitive control models), the VCS Model posits inner speech (InSp) as the predominant cognitive pathway supporting CT operations in neurotypical populations. Synthesizing interdisciplinary scholarship across cognitive science, computational theory, neurodiversity research, and others, this framework articulates distinct mechanisms through which InSp supports CT. The model specifies four primary pathways linking InSp to CT components: verbal working memory supporting decomposition, symbolic representation facilitating pattern recognition and abstraction, sequential processing enabling …

Large Language Models As Machines Of Beauty: Cognitive Averaging, Latent Space Geometry, And The Entropic Foundations Of Aesthetic Preference, Daniel Plate, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study advances the position that large language models (LLMs) and human perceptual systems are governed by a shared computational drive toward prototypicality, entropy reduction, and aesthetic coherence. Drawing on developmental evidence that infants exhibit early preferences for facial symmetry and averageness, the analysis situates aesthetic preference within broader research on processing fluency and predictive coding, emphasizing that biological perception rewards stimuli that reduce uncertainty and support efficient information compression. This foundation is used to examine how LLMs, through cross-entropy optimization, perplexity minimization, and latent space clustering, converge on high-density representational regions that operate as statistical prototypes of linguistic and …

Exiting Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Jeanne L. Allert, Sherri L. Wyatt

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

This study presents one of the largest qualitative samples of exited female survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in the United States to date. One hundred and eighty-nine female survivors participated in a national survey. The participants described their motivations for exiting commercial sexual exploitation, the pathways they followed, the forces that hindered their exit and increased their recidivism, and the assistance they received that ensured a permanent exit. Some of the findings challenge popular narratives on recidivism rates and what keeps women in exploitation, revealing complex relational, behavioral, economic, and systemic influences. Participants spoke about the unanticipated value of incarceration, …

Design And Testing Of A Vr Escape Room Game For Philippine Martial Law History, Eric Cesar Vidal, Jr., Jesus Alvaro Pato, Johanna Marion R. Torres, Kenneth King L. Ko

Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC)

This paper presents a Virtual Reality Educational Escape Room game where players learn about the highly divisive Martial Law period in Philippine history. We describe the game’s general design and the results of a user test to evaluate the game in terms of VR presence, immersion, and overall usability.

User Evaluation Of A Virtual Patient For Philippine Medical Education, Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo, Samantha Castaneda, James Alvir Maclin V. Alaan, Paolo Santino P. Caoile

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

Caladrius is a virtual patient system designed for use in Philippine medical schools. It responds to the need for medical interview training, for greater variety in teaching-learning strategies, and for culturally appropriate technologies. It has two versions: a text-only version whose interface is similar to a chat interface, and an audio version that accepts speech input and responds with speech output. In a prior test of Caladrius, users requested improved audio response time and the inclusion of different patient personalities. A subsequent version of Caladrius was created to comply with these requests. As much of the lag was attributable to …

Understanding Social And Cognitive Influences In Medical Students' Learning Processes For Step 1: An Interpretivist Case Study., Ashley Elaine Triplett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative interpretivist case study explores, at a singular institution, medical students’ perspectives on the social and cognitive factors influencing the learning process as students prepare for the Step 1 examination. While prior research regarding medical students Step 1 preparation have focused primarily on wellness, stress, and career outcomes, limited studies have examined medical students' lived experiences to navigate what occurs during the learning process while they prepare for this critical exam. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, this dissertation draws on fourteen student interviews, seven that passed Step 1 on their first attempt, and seven that failed. Findings reveal …

Educational Ai Agents In Vr, Jake Eichenseer

Graphic Communication

AI powered educational agents are programs that are capable of interpreting their environment and then making decisions based on that (Cordova-Esparza, 2025). Agentic programs like these can be helpful in an educational setting because they can be used to provide personalized feedback to students, assist instructors with grading, and adapt learning materials in real time to match each student’s progress. However, there are a multitude of concerns raised by agentic programs as well, causing experts to consider the ethical implications of integrating them into school curricula. The Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department wanted to study how participants would respond when …

Improved Model For Neurodegeneration In C. Elegans, Jean-Pierre Arditi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

During Alzheimer's disease (AD), insoluble amyloid beta (AP) peptides accumulate to form extracellular aggregates (plaques). The direct cause of neuronal dysfunction observed in AD has been broadly investigated. The amyloid hypothesis states that AP plaques are neurotoxic, but recent studies support the AP oligomer hypothesis, which states that intracellular AP (iAP) is neurotoxic. To test this hypothesis, I used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to generate two transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) strains. I generated a strain (RSLl 11) using the rab-3 promoter to co-express GFP in neurons, which showed no gross behavioral changes but had a 50% reduced egglaying rate. RSLl …

Analyzing Patterns In Hofstede’S Cultural Dimensions Towards Individual Ai Receptiveness For Affective Experiences, Maggie Yang

Master's Theses

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly advanced efficient decision-making, with trust in algorithmic decisions shown to vary by cultural upbringing [1]. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, it is essential to examine how cultural values affect trust in AI in subjective contexts that extend beyond purely quantitative analysis, like the personal interpretation of art. This work utilizes Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to investigate potential patterns in receptiveness towards AI predictions during art interpretation, providing insight into individual susceptibility to bias in AI-assisted affective analysis.

The study leveraged a cultural dimension survey and a custom Java program connected …

Empathy On Trial: The Role Of Neuroscience And Communication In Sexual Violence Jurisprudence, Samantha M. Gonzales

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Sexual violence remains a contentious public safety and legal challenge, which has become further complicated by the tension between supporting victim-survivors and safeguarding the falsely accused. False accusations, though still well below the numbers of rightly accused, are experiencing a rise in popularity given recent (past ten years) political climates. This thesis examines how communication theory, neuroscience, and law intersect in molding perceptions of truth, culpability, and justice in sexual violence cases; while also examining the intersectionality of those fields in addressing the candor of allegations, the rate of recidivism, and quality of public health and safety. The most prominent …

Selective Attention With Lyrical Music Vs. No Music, Scovs Majors, Rachel Falleur, Kim Niang, Olivia Pokrifcsak

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Selective attention refers to the brain’s ability to focus on relevant information while filtering out distractions. Research suggests that language cues and semantic context can shape how attention is directed, indicating that cognitive control is context-dependent (Reisman, 1964). Environmental factors such as background noise can also disrupt attention, leading to reduced accuracy on cognitive tasks (Pearson & Lane, 1984). In the present study, we examined music as both a linguistic and environmental variable influencing selective attention. Previous findings indicate that lyrical music can serve as a significant distractor, impairing attentional performance in both music and non-music majors (Darrow et al., …

Physiological Response To Concealed Information In A Mock-Crime Paradigm​, Ezra Koenigsberg, Tamya Mchenry, Jasmine Manzana, Taylor Powell, Samantha Jackson

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

The Concealed Information Test (CIT), based on Lykken’s guilty knowledge framework, measures physiological responses when individuals recognize crime-related details compared to neutral alternatives. Previous studies show that variations in stimulus presentation enhance the CIT’s accuracy, especially through changes in electrodermal activity and heart rate. However, few studies have tested whether a Qualtrics-based mock-crime version of the CIT can replicate these physiological patterns. This study addresses that gap by adapting the CIT for a digital research environment. The goal is to determine whether participants show greater physiological arousal—measured through skin conductance, heart rate, and respiration—when exposed to crime-related “critical” stimuli compared …

A Lost Culture Of Touch And Sound: The Contribution Of Visually Impaired Musicians To The Evolution Of The Spanish Guitar, Marco Ramelli

Soundboard Scholar

In the story of music-making, blind musicians have played an intrinsic role, helping to drive the development not only of musical styles but also of instruments, instruction, and aesthetics. Many musical practices were cultivated first within blind communities and adopted only later by sighted musicians, often with a gradual erasure of their original context. The history of the Spanish guitar offers a compelling case study of this progression, demonstrating how the contribution of blind musicians could be both wide-reaching and yet, over time, forgotten. The history of this contribution is challenging to recover, for in Spain as elsewhere, blind musicians …

Unraveling The Lullabies Of Learning: Exploring The Role Of Individual Components Of Infant-Directed Speech In Language Learning, Stephanie L. Lopez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Children learn language more effectively from infant-directed speech (IDS) than adult-directed speech (ADS). Three experiments were run (a pilot and two full experiments) testing the effects of pitch and pitch variability on segmenting a target word out of the speech stream and then associating it to an object. Visual prosody via eyebrow movements and lip contours were added as additional cues after the Pilot Study. Additional factors included after the Pilot Study were shortened sentences from 10 syllables each to seven syllables each, shortened target words from three syllables to two syllables, consistent syllable onset of target words, and two …

Access Denied: An Argument Against King’S Propositional Access Principle, Jesse Fitts

Philosophy Faculty Research

Accounts of propositions face a problem that originates in the ontology of numbers: If propositions are abstract and causally isolated, then it’s unclear how agents cognitively access them. Jeff King presents a solution to this problem for his theory of propositions. King’s solution follows from a more general principle of cognitive access, which this paper challenges.

Itegration Of Emerging Technologies In Cybersecurity Education, Dimitar Bogatinov, Nevena Serafimova, Aleksandar Petrovski, Andrej Iliev, Biljana Karovska

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) are revolutionizing cybersecurity education by offering immersive, interactive learning experiences tailored to the tech-savvy Generation Z and Alpha learners. Traditional educational methods are increasingly inadequate for preparing students to navigate the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.

Virtual labs, AI-driven tutors, and cyber training environments create dynamic learning opportunities where students can engage in realistic simulations to develop critical skills in threat detection, response, and mitigation. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, rapid technological advancements, and a shortage of qualified instructors complicate the integration of these technologies.

Despite these challenges, …

Wired Differently, Working Brilliantly: Understanding And Supporting Adhd & Audhd Employees, April Miller, Katherine Loving

Faculty Articles & Research

This paper explores the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals—particularly those diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as the overlapping condition often referred to as AuDHD—in both clinical and workplace settings. It begins by examining diagnostic criteria, comorbidities, and the evolving understanding of ADHD and ASD as intersecting neurodevelopmental conditions. The paper then highlights common cognitive, emotional, and sensory challenges, including time blindness, neurodivergent paralysis, masking, overstimulation, executive dysfunction, rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and auditory processing disorder (APD).

Despite these challenges, many neurodivergent individuals possess exceptional strengths such as creativity, adaptability, rapid …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Supporting Digital Accessibility In Community College Libraries, Jessica Tipton

Sabbatical Projects

Original Sabbatical Proposal: As part of my dissertation on removing accessibility barriers to library services and resources, I will evaluate materials our library creates, purchases, and shares, focusing on WCAG 2.1 AA compliance.  I will earn a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) certification and create a guide for academic librarians on developing accessible learning materials and evaluating purchased content to ensure equitable access for all students.

The Science Of Sound: Studying The Cognitive, Emotional, And Physiological Effects Of Frequency, Genre, And Music, Jett Yarborough

Senior Honors Theses

Music influences emotion, physiology, and cognition, yet little is known about how the frequency it is tuned to affects these influences. Prior research has shown that music tuned to 432 Hz can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. My colleagues and I conducted two studies to investigate this. Our research found that music tuned to 432 Hz promotes a significant increase in memory retention and induces a state of focus and relaxation. These results suggest that shifting from the standard tuning frequency of 440 Hz to 432 Hz could have a profoundly positive impact on our daily lives. …

Learning In Virtual Environments With Varying Levels Of Sensory Information, Maryam Derayati Far

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

The sensory environment plays a critical role in shaping learners’ attention, engagement, and retention. This thesis investigates how varying levels of sensory input in virtual reality (VR) classrooms influence learning for two age groups—children and young adults—and explores how individual differences in sensory processing moderate these effects. Using immersive VR technology to simulate classroom settings, two experimental studies were conducted. Study One involved 60 children aged 6–15 years, recruited primarily through a university-run summer camp. Study Two included 57 undergraduate students aged 18–36 years, recruited through a research participation pool. In both studies, participants were randomly assigned to either a …

The Double-Edged Role Of Cognitive Reappraisal: A Moderated Mediation Model Of Manager Support And Emotional Exhaustion Among Hotel Supervisors, Han Chen, Yvette Green

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Applying the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Affective Event Theory, this study explores the interplay between perceived manager support (PMS), negative emotions, and emotional exhaustion among hotel supervisors. The study also examines the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal strategy on the above relationships. Data were collected from a sample of U.S. hotel supervisors. Results showed that negative emotions play a mediating role in the relationship between PMS and supervisors’ emotional exhaustion. Cognitive reappraisal amplified the negative effect of PMS on negative emotions, the positive relationship between negative emotions and emotional exhaustion, and the indirect effect of PMS on emotional …